The king is dead, long live the king: The winners of the 11th annual Glass Cutting World Cup have been announced, and preparations for the twelfth international competition for glass grinders are already in full swing.

The competitive exhibits, with their delicate beauty, impressed the twelve-member jury—composed of leading Czech and international experts—who had a difficult time making objective decisions. It was not easy to select the best works, even though the rules were clear. The judging criteria included technical execution, aesthetics, originality, and innovative approaches by each artist. The competition categories were: Hand Grinding – Mandatory Works, Hand Grinding – Free Creation, Machine Grinding – Designers' Competition, and Hand Grinding – Glass Schools.

Photo: Engraving or grinding emerged as a new technique for refining glass in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

For eleven years, this format has brought together the best glass grinders from around the world to showcase their mastery, creativity, and passion for glass. This year's competition once again demonstrated the exceptional works that are created in this field and the strong tradition of glass grinding, not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad," said journalist Ing. Jiří Trtík, founder and director of the GCWC competition, to reporters during the awards ceremony. He was followed by Petr Nový, chairman of the jury, historian, and chief curator of the State Museum of Glass and Jewelry in Jablonec nad Nisou: "...the championship is not just a competition! It is a celebration of human skill, creativity, and tradition that has been among the best that Czech glassmaking offers to the world for generations..."

Glory to the Victors, Honor to Those Who Were Not

Due to space limitations, we will only list the winners of each category. As mentioned earlier, Samuel Weisenborn from Germany (S.W. Studio) was the overall winner. In the "Free Creation" grinding category, Michal Němeček (Růckl, Nižbor) won. Klára Mikešová, a glass designer (Glassartist, Prague), won in the Designers' Competition category. In the Hand Grinding – Glass Schools category, Kateřina Lejsková (OA, SOŠ a SOU Třeboň) came first, Simona Slepičková (OA, SOŠ a SOU Třeboň) came second, and Viktor Tkachuk (SOŠS a SŠ Nový Bor) came third. Sára Nováková from the SUPŠ glass school in Železný Brod won the City of Světlá nad Sázavou award in the Hand Grinding – Glass Schools category.

More information: www.gcwc.cz

One of the strengths of this exceptional glass cutting competition is its involvement in an international competition for apprentices and students from glass schools, both domestically and abroad. As is well known, the glassmaking profession has been facing a number of global challenges for some time now, ranging from constantly rising energy costs to a declining interest in this historic profession. This affects not only Czech glassmaking, but also a shortage of young people interested in this artistic craft. The Glass Cutting World Cup aims, among other things, to raise the prestige of this profession and increase interest in it, which, as can be seen, is succeeding.

Photo: Engraving or grinding emerged as a new technique for refining glass in the late 16th and early 17th centuries

Originally, it was an International Symposium of Glass Cutters. Due to great interest from both domestic and foreign professionals, as well as the general public, including the media, the symposium evolved into a traditional world championship. As Mr. Trtík said, there are fewer and fewer skilled glass cutters in recent years. While design-focused glass studios are springing up like mushrooms after rain, there is almost no one to execute the designs of renowned artists. Therefore, GCWC aims to contribute to the popularization of glassmaking and attract a younger generation not only in Bohemia and Moravia, but also elsewhere in the world.

Rich accompanying program

All award-winning and competing works were exhibited directly at the Růckl glassworks in Nižbor. Visitors had the opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes of Czech crystal production through themed guided tours, visit the furnace and grinding shop, watch the masters at work, and even try some of the techniques themselves. The program also included a traditional glassmakers' jam session with leading Czech glass manufacturers, demonstrations of crafts, a glass cutting competition for the public, and other interesting activities. Due to great interest from the general public, it was decided that next June would be no different, during the GCWC 2007.

Currently, the winning works can be viewed in an exhibition on the history of European glassmaking at the castle in Světlá nad Sázavou. It should be added that the event was supported by both the President of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, as well as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which confirms the importance of this competition for preserving and developing traditional crafts and intangible cultural heritage.

Ivan Černý

Captions:

Engraving or grinding emerged as a new technique for refining glass in the late 16th and early 17th centuries

The primary task of the GCWC is to recognize and reward the work of top wood carvers, selecting the very best, but also to showcase and promote this ancient craft to the general public, and to spark interest in this profession among boys and girls who are choosing their future careers.